Wilderness Peak Loop
2 weeks ago
Gunfire from nearby range can be heard constantly
3 this month · 36 reports
Whittaker Wilderness Peak
Issaquah Alps
updated 3 days ago
The Whittaker Wilderness Peak trail is in good condition, with fall colors providing vibrant scenery as of November 7. Trails are generally clear of snow, and the roads are suitable for all vehicles, with no significant bug reports. Some minor obstacles like fallen trees have been noted, but they pose few problems for hikers. Water features like Doughty Falls are experiencing low flow, with reports of it being a "Doughty trickle" or not flowing at all during drier periods, August 25. Parking can be an issue, with lots filling up, especially on weekends, and overflow parking on the highway has been observed.
Generated from 38 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Whittaker Wilderness Peak
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Doughty Falls is currently experiencing very low water flow, with reports describing it as a "Doughty trickle" or not flowing at all as of October 22 and August 25. This is typical for drier periods, and increased flow is expected in the rainy season.
Minor obstacles such as fallen trees have been noted on the trail, with one report from August 21 mentioning an alder across the path. However, these have generally been cleared or pose few problems for hikers as of November 7.
Parking at the trailhead can become very crowded, especially on weekends. As of November 7, the lot was full by mid-morning, with cars parking on the highway. Reports from August 25 and October 22 also indicate busy parking lots.
The bridges and boardwalks on the trail are generally in good condition. One report from November 7 mentioned a bridge in a swampy area tilting slightly, and another from October 22 noted that stairs and raised trails were in excellent shape.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh3 days ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
Two of us took advantage of a break in the weather to enjoy 6.5 miles and 1900' going up Gombu Cliffs to Whittaker Wilderness Peak, down the other side to Shy Bear Pass, over to Deceiver Pass and to D...
Recent2 weeks ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
Met a friend at 8 am for a Cougar Mountain ramble from the Jim Whittaker Wilderness Trailhead right off Highway 900 between Renton and Issaquah. Parking lot was surprisingly full on this Thursday morn...
Older2 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
Today's #hikeathon 2026 outing was intended to be Lower Tuscohatchie Lake (14 miles/4400') with 9 members of the Seattle Mountaineers CHS-2 cohort, but AQI was abysmal and after 2 minutes of talking w...
Older2 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
We started early in the morning and took the Gombu cut off to the top. We saved the longer trail for the downside part of the hike. Both trails were forested and had plenty of large boulders covered ...
Older2 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
Dry and dusty trail - we took the loop trail up to the summit and back. Steep uphill and downhill with loose gravel on the trail. A beautiful and quiet forest walk with very few other hikers. Recomme...
Older3 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
The peak doesn’t have any wide open views but it is a nice space for inner peace and meditation. Pretty cool little wood bridges over the marshy parts and the rivers. Solid short day hike.
Older4 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
A warning to my fellow hikers: hiking at dusk, an aggressive owl followed me and dove at me multiple times on this trail. I was glad to have my trekking poles to wave above my head.
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
A cool, damp Junuary day up on Cougar Mountain.Not a lot of people on the trail today.Maybe everyone is still recovering from the World Cup.A lot of flowers are still blooming.Saw tiger lilies, which ...
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
This trail is a gem if you want some vigorous climb through lush forest, decorated with interesting erratic boulders. I did Whittaker Wilderness Peak as an out-and-back for training reasons, but the W...
Older6 months ago
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
I did the loop as described by WTA: up the Gombu Cliffs trail and down via the Whittaker trail. That puts the steepest part of the climb at the beginning. If I were doing it strictly for scenery, I mi...